NCC, UNESCO, Meta Seek Lasting Framework for Free Education Platforms

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Meta and other stakeholders have begun work on a sustainable framework to provide students and teachers with free access to approved educational platforms across Nigeria.

The initiative took centre stage on Tuesday at a public consultation in Abuja, where regulators, telecom operators, education authorities, development partners and technology companies examined implementation options for the proposed Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content framework.

The consultation followed the NCC’s earlier release of a consultation paper outlining plans to exempt approved educational websites and digital learning platforms from data charges in a bid to make online learning more affordable and bridge the country’s digital divide.

Addressing participants, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the Commission was committed to developing a framework that would expand access to digital education while ensuring sustainability, fair competition and sound regulatory oversight.

Maida was represented by the Commission’s Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Ayuba Shuaibu.

He said an industry committee established by the Commission had already assessed the technical, commercial, policy and regulatory implications of the proposal before producing the consultation paper for public input.

According to him, the framework can only succeed through broad collaboration involving telecom operators, education providers, content developers, students, teachers and development partners.

“The objective of this initiative is straightforward but deeply significant; and that is to reduce the affordability barrier that locks millions of Nigerian students out of the digital classroom,” Maida said.

He noted that the consultation was expected to produce recommendations on implementation models, eligibility criteria, funding arrangements, governance, approved educational content and measures to safeguard net neutrality and fair competition.

“There are no predetermined outcomes. The Commission and the Industry Committee remain open to constructive, practical and evidence-based recommendations,” he added.

Maida also disclosed that the proposed initiative would not impose financial obligations on either the NCC or participating educational institutions, explaining that Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) would absorb the cost of providing free access under the agreed model.

“The collaboration with the MNOs means it is not going to be at a cost to the Commission and it is not going to be at a cost to the beneficiary institutions,” he said.

He added that the programme is expected to benefit both tertiary and sub-tertiary institutions.

The Federal Ministry of Education endorsed the proposal, describing it as a strategic complement to ongoing reforms aimed at promoting inclusive and technology-driven education. The ministry’s position was presented by its Director of Information and Communication Technology, Abubakar Zainab Suleiman.

Suleiman said many learners and teachers continue to face barriers created by high internet costs, poor connectivity and unequal access to digital learning resources.

She explained that the proposed framework aligns with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which seeks to improve learning outcomes through stronger institutional coordination, evidence-based planning and wider adoption of technology in education.

She, however, stressed that the initiative must go beyond providing internet access by ensuring educational relevance, quality assurance, child online safety, learner protection, data privacy and alignment with national education standards.

“It is important that access is not treated as only a connectivity issue. It must also be guided by educational relevance, quality assurance, learner protection, child online safety, data privacy, sustainability and alignment with the national education platform,” Suleiman said.

She also advocated a phased rollout beginning with a pilot programme that would enable stakeholders to evaluate costs, usage, technical requirements and long-term sustainability before nationwide implementation.

UNESCO also threw its weight behind the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention capable of reducing barriers to digital learning.

Digital Transformation Specialist at UNESCO’s Abuja Office, Dr Yinka Oyerinde, said the organisation developed its Zero-Rated Access Toolkit in 2020 to help governments, regulators and telecom operators implement similar initiatives after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said while free access to educational platforms could significantly improve learning opportunities, it should be regarded as a short-term intervention rather than a permanent solution.

“Zero rating is not the final solution but a powerful immediate tool. It is a bridge towards ensuring that every learner has access to quality educational opportunities,” Oyerinde said.

Drawing from experiences in countries such as Kenya, he warned that sustainability remains the biggest challenge once subsidy programmes end and urged Nigeria to incorporate a clear transition and exit strategy into the framework.

He also recommended a nationally agreed whitelist of approved educational platforms, sustained public awareness campaigns and stronger collaboration among regulators, telecom operators, educational technology companies and development partners.

Meta reaffirmed its readiness to support the initiative through its Free Basics platform.

Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa at Meta, Sade Dada, said the company has partnered with Nigerian telecom operators since 2016 to improve affordable internet access and remains committed to expanding digital inclusion.

She said Meta’s existing Free Basics platform already provides infrastructure through which government agencies, educational institutions and developers can make approved educational content available without data charges, provided the platforms satisfy established technical standards.

“If classrooms are free to enter, the digital classroom shouldn’t become inaccessible because someone runs out of data,” Dada said.

She added that Meta would continue to work with the NCC and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the framework once it is finalised.

As earlier reported by *The Guardian*, the NCC’s consultation paper proposes two implementation models. One would establish a centralised portal hosting approved educational resources, while the other would allow telecom operators to whitelist designated educational websites and platforms for free access.

The Commission is also proposing a 12-month pilot phase, with funding expected to come through industry cost-sharing, government support, the Universal Service Provision Fund, development partners and public-private partnerships before a nationwide rollout.